Last week I had the opportunity to attend my first Gunsite class, the Pistol 250. First, let me say thanks to Mike Hughes and his staff of trainers. They do an excellent job of keeping students engaged, safe and (even tho the heat was horrid) free of heat related health issues. It you have never attended a class there you should. No matter how good you think your skills are you will find room for improvement. I also want to thank Buz for his hopitality and the cold beer. Plus, the outdoor and indoor simulators are great fun.
Now, to the M&P part of the review. I shot a Pro Series M&P9 with 5" barrel. It was unmolested (no Apex) and already had a few thousand rounds down the tube. I had already used the pistol for a "compressed" MagPul class a couple of years ago where I shot 1000 rounds in a single day thru it without failure. I cleaned the pistol well and oiled in the spots recommended in the M&P Armorer's training on Saturday before getting on the plane Sunday. This gun has always functioned well and shot to POA. Ammo used was Winchester white box 115 grain ball. I used Remington frangible in the simulators. During the five day class, days often spent entirely on the range, I shot approximately 1100 rounds. The range was dusty and the wind kept the dust in your face. I also was in the kneeling and prone position a large part of the time. To say the least, this gun was given every opportunity to crash. I did not clean the pistol at any time during the entire week of training. Mags were dropped in the AZ dust countless times, only to be wiped off on my pant legs, reloaded and stuffed back in the pistol. In short, I abused the hell out of this equipment. I saw Berettas and Sigs fail, a broken Glock trigger spring, and other issues arise from other students guns but the M&P just kept hammering away. Finally, on Friday morning, it happened. A fired round did not eject and, of course, the next round in the mag tried to feed behind it. I guess it just wanted to give me one opportunity to practice immediate action drills under pressure. The problem was cleared and the pistol went right back into service. no more stoppages were encountered.
Now, if I could only say the same for my sinuses. Anyone have some Sudafed?
Now, to the M&P part of the review. I shot a Pro Series M&P9 with 5" barrel. It was unmolested (no Apex) and already had a few thousand rounds down the tube. I had already used the pistol for a "compressed" MagPul class a couple of years ago where I shot 1000 rounds in a single day thru it without failure. I cleaned the pistol well and oiled in the spots recommended in the M&P Armorer's training on Saturday before getting on the plane Sunday. This gun has always functioned well and shot to POA. Ammo used was Winchester white box 115 grain ball. I used Remington frangible in the simulators. During the five day class, days often spent entirely on the range, I shot approximately 1100 rounds. The range was dusty and the wind kept the dust in your face. I also was in the kneeling and prone position a large part of the time. To say the least, this gun was given every opportunity to crash. I did not clean the pistol at any time during the entire week of training. Mags were dropped in the AZ dust countless times, only to be wiped off on my pant legs, reloaded and stuffed back in the pistol. In short, I abused the hell out of this equipment. I saw Berettas and Sigs fail, a broken Glock trigger spring, and other issues arise from other students guns but the M&P just kept hammering away. Finally, on Friday morning, it happened. A fired round did not eject and, of course, the next round in the mag tried to feed behind it. I guess it just wanted to give me one opportunity to practice immediate action drills under pressure. The problem was cleared and the pistol went right back into service. no more stoppages were encountered.
Now, if I could only say the same for my sinuses. Anyone have some Sudafed?
